Style HQ

Maternity Workwear

Hi Mummies-to-be!

We are all excited in the maternity department this week as we're launching our new work wear dress.

 

This fab,tailored dress, available in black or grey, has ties at side for a great fit, perfect to accommodate a growing bump. It's a great style for the office, which you can team with some kitten heels and a cardigan for a comfortable, stylish outfit.

We also have some fantastic new jeans and basics coming in soon for that causal weekend look. Look out for our new under-the-bump straight and skinny jeans, which look great teamed up with our NEW 3/4 volume sleeve top in plain or stripe.

Let us know in comments if you have any queries or questions.

See you soon xxxxxx

Holiday Essentials: One Day by David Nicholls

Our latest Holiday Shop offer (buy 3, get the 4th free) has got us discussing our must-haves for a day at the beach, and we all agree that a good book is up there with factor 40 and a bucket and spade.

Whether your beach break this year is a fortnight in the Seychelles or a day trip to Skegness, we'd recommend this summer's holiday hit, 'One Day' by David Nicholls.

 
Focusing on the 'will-they-or-won't-they' romance of Emma and Dexter, the book follows the ups and downs of their lives, together and apart, over two decades. With stark honesty and endearing humour, Nicholls characterises the couple brilliantly and you'll feel like you're reading about two of your best friends.

The story has all the classic ingredients of a great summer read, but even better, the writing is both hilarious and deeply moving. You'll giggle at the supporting characters and you'll be rooting for the protagonists throughout- and you may even shed a tear!

Feel free to share your beach book suggestions in comments, and for all your other holiday essentials, check out our holiday shop offers now.

Becky x

Lovebox Festival Fashion Round Up

Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of Noisettes epitomised the fashion mood of Lovebox this weekend...'eclectic dressing up box' was certainly the theme du jour. From tassles, to tie die, to animal print,'less is more' it certainly wasn't.

 

But let's face it what else would you expect from a 3 day central London festival with no camping, fabulous outfits of course!

Flamboyant headpieces were de rigueur, with Grace Jones, Paloma Faith and Empire of The Sun's backing dancers both showing us meer mortals how it is done.

But what were we wearing on the ground? A lot of DP! From the diamond print bandeau maxi dress, to the aztec print maxi skirt, you gals did us proud.

 


But pray, do tell.... were you there, and if so what fashion statement did you make? 

Steph x

We will rock you

As a town born out of the Industrial Revolution and once one of Britains leading textile manufacturers, it seems rather apt that hundreds of years on, Bury should honour such roots with The Rock, 1.6M Sq foot, 3 department stores, 60 shops, 8 restaurants, a cinema and a bowling lane and breathe ..... are just a couple of things that The Rock has to offer.

 

Any shopping centre worth its fashion weight is home to a Dorothy Perkins store, and The Rock, officially launched today, is no exception. But what is most exciting is that The Rock is home to a new look Dorothy Perkins. From chandeliers, to sleek black gloss tables, this is one rocking DP.  

And of course, we know how to throw a party. From DJs, to free drinks, to 20% off giveaways Dorothy Perkins did The Rock proud.

But did any of our lovely Northern Style HQ followers make it down today? And if so what rocked your world?

Steph x

I wish for world peace....and a fabulous wardrobe!

Last week Style HQ was graced with the presence of a real life beauty queen in the form of the gorgeous Tara Hoyos-Martinez - aka Miss Universe GB!

Tara is off to Vegas in August to compete against a bevy of worldwide beauties for the ultimate title. But what beauty queen worth her sash could embark on such a trip without an adequate wardrobe? Exactly, that's where we came in.

After being blinded by her dazzling smile (I'm sure I heard a ping!) and blown over by her glittering groomed loveliness, I helped Tara pick out some fabulous bits for her trip including the green pleated flapper dress(very Carrie Bradshaw!), a nude lace babydoll and an embellished top. So what did I get in return?..To be made a beauty queen myself and try on the amazingly blingtastic crown!

 

It was emotional!

Good luck Tara!

Rach x

Fashion Exhibitions this July

DP Towers is located just off of Oxford St London, which is not only really convenient for a spot of lunch-break shopping (dangerous), but is ideal for sauntering post work to one of London's many fashion exhibitions.  

Here's a few we'll be hoping to see this month:

1. Kate Who?

An exhibition of portraits of Kate (no need to surname-drop) by legendary fashion photographer Mario Testino. They're all for sale, but we're purely window shopping.

Until 15 July, Phillips de Pury

 
2. Maison Martin Margiela '20'

A celebration of 20 years of the groundbreaking fashion designer. The exhibition includes garments, installations, photography and film.

Until 5 September, Somerset House

3. Enchanted Palace

A chance to see Kensington Palace magically transformed, telling the stories of princesses who lived there through installantions by designers including Vivienne Westwood and Stephen Jones.

Until June 2012, Kensington Palace

4. Fashion Fantasies

A display of fashion plates and graphic social satire, two genres of print that fantasise fashion on paper, chronicling changes in style through history.

Until January 2011, V&A

5. Come Dine With Kate

Prolific knitter Kate Jenkins, who's work includes designing for Missoni, sonia Rykiel and Donna Karan, exhibits a collection of knitted treats that are almost good enough to eat.

Until 24 July, Rebecca Hossack Gallery

If anyone's got any tips for exhibitions in the rest of the country, we'd love to hear them in comments!

Becky x

Paris Haute Couture Week: Fashion Round-up

The biggest names in French fashion showcased their haute couture collections in Paris this week, allowing some of the world's greatest designers to realise their most fantastical fashion whims in a world where money is no object.

The results were universally spectacular but we've picked a few noteworthy ensembles to give you a quick glimpse of the key looks.

Galliano took florals to extremes with a collection of delicate, sculptural gowns that transformed the models into bright and beautiful flowers.

Chanel put a luxurious and opulent spin on traditional tweeds and embellished to excess with jewels, sequins and embroidery.

John Paul Gaultier combined classic, glamorous elements with modern, sensual touches in a dark collection full of fur, turbans and textures.

 

Valentino took the opposite direction, with a series of ultra feminine frocks piled with bows and ruffles.

Let us know in comments which were your favourite looks!

Becky x

(All images courtesy of WGSN)

Charming jewellery

After all our festival going in the last few weeks, we've started to notice a bit of a jewellery trend. We've spotted girls in floaty florals, distressed denim and muddy maxis, but almost every one had wrist-fulls of bangles, wristbands and charm bracelets.

To get the look, pile on loads of different bracelets and combine clashing styles and colours for an eclectic feel, and add cute details with trinkets and charms.

Here are some of our favourites that are in store right now:

Clockwise from top left: Butterfly charm bracelet £8, Woodland Trust bracelet £8.50, Bow bead stretch bracelet £7, Tea cup charm bracelet £9

If you're looking for some festival fashion with a conscience, 20% of the cost of every Woodland Trust bracelet is donated to the charity to help them plant thousands of trees across the country. Consider it your good deed done for the day!

Becky x
  

Hop Farm Festival Fashion Round Up

Another weekend.... another festival (it's a hard life..). And this weekend DPHQ went back to grass roots at Hop Farm Festival in Kent. Headline acts included The Magic Numbers, Mumford & Sons, Pete Doherty, Laura Marling, Ray Davies from the Kinks, and the legend that is Bob Dylan. So what does one wear to a folk inspired festival.... well something folky of course!

We saw festival fashion go all feminine on us....from vintage lace sun parasoles to floaty kimono style dresses, 'pretty as a picture' was a key look, as spotted on Liz and Sonia below.  

   

Another key look, in homage to the 60s inspired headline acts was 'retro chic' as demonstrated by the lovely Hazel and Susan, found in their fabulous wears in the Affordable Vintage Tent.

 

And what was I wearing, well Dorothy Perkins of course.... an AW10 animal maxi dress with tassle detail. Very Karen Carpenter (I wish)...

 

But what festival look do you prefer? Floaty and feminine folk? Or retro chic?

Steph x

The elephants have packed their trunks and said goodbye to London

If you live or work in London, you’d have to have spent the last month or so under a rock had you not noticed Nelly and her 249 friends dotted about the city.

 
As a part of the 2010 Elephant Parade, 250 life-sized sculptures adorned from trunk to toe by Artists, Designers, the Fashion elite, members of the Royal family and school children alike have been stationed about the City, all to raise awareness and money for the Asian elephant, which without the help of the Elephant Family charity faces extinction within a mere 30 years.

 
Bringing colour and humour to numerous locations all over the Capital, unfortunately for us, the elephants are now no longer brightening up the streets. Instead, each piece is now being prepped for the Grand Auction and Champagne Brunch which takes place this Saturday 3rd July, where they will each be re-homed to the highest bidder.  For those of you who don’t have the cash or the space to compete for one of the 250 elephants up for grabs, mini sculptures can be bought up until the end of the month at Selfridges, all of which will help contribute to this great cause.

You can visit the Elephant Parade website for more information on the cause and how you can help. And, in the mean time check out the two great charities that DP support - The Woodland Trust and Breast Cancer Care.

Katharine x